Split Lip Rayfield, a dynamo 3-man bluegrass/country/little-touch-of metal-band was one of the opening acts on the final day of Stagecoach 2012. Performing on the Mustang Stage to an appreciative, cheering audience, I saw a sight I’d never seen before … band member Jeff Eaton played a homemade, gas tank bass. Yes, you heard it right. The base was made from a late-70′s Ford Mercury gas tank. Very cool.

Eaton worked up an incredible sweat – quenched by a couple slugs of Bud – banging on the big tank, accompanied by Wayne Gottstine and Eric Mardis. My first time seeing this trio – what a treat!

Split Lip Rayfield hails from Kansas, and after recently playing Evansville, Ind. in 41 degree temps,  the band said they were happy to be out here in the sunshine. “It’s good to finally be here with the palm trees … and the awesome people of southern California!”

Split Lip Rayfield

Split Lip Rayfield